Harvesting the energy of moving water to

produce electricity for our own needs.

Water Electricity

Ancient Time

Modern Time
 HYDROPOWER
Hydropower transforms the potential energy of a mass of
water flowing in a river or stream with a certain vertical fall
(termed the “head”)

Hydroelectric power is the cheapest source of energy,

renewable and environmentally benign during running.

The potential annual power generation of a hydropower

project is proportional to the head and flow of water
 Working principle

• Potential energy is the energy which a substance has due to its

position or state. The water behind a dam has potential energy
because of its position. The water can fall from this position and
exert a force over a distance and therefore do work.

• In a Hydro-electric power plant the force is used to drive a

turbine, which in turn drives the electric generator.

• Because gravity provides the force which makes the water fall,
the energy stored in the water is called gravitational potential
energy.
•Dam: controls the flow of water and creates a reservoir of
water above for energy use when needed
•Penstock: pipe channeling water from the dam to the turbines
•Turbines: large blades attached to a cylinder that move when
the water pushes against it
•Generator: parts connected to the turbines that create the
electricity by moving large magnets
•Inductor: changes the form of electricity to one that can be used
•Transmission Lines: transport energy to places that need it
 Classification of Hydro electric power plants

• Hydro –electric power plants are usually classified according

to the available head of water.

High head power plants : Head of water is more than 500

metres. The turbine used in such plants is Pelton wheel.

Medium head power plants : Head of water ranges from 80 to

500 metres. The turbine used in such plants is Francis turbine.

Low head power plants : Head of water ranges from 1.5 to 80

metres. The turbine used in such plants is Kaplan turbine and
Francis turbine.
 More Components of hydel scheme

The principal components are:

1.Forebay
2.Intake structure
3.Penstocks
4.Surge tank
5.Turbines
6.Power house
7.Draft tube
8.Tail race
Forebay
• Enlarged body of water provided in front of penstock.
• Provided in case of run off river plants and storage plants.
• Main function to store water which is rejected by plant.
• Power house located closed to dam
• penstock directly take water from reservoir, reservoir act
as forebay.
Intake structure
• Water conveyed from forebay to penstocks through
intake structures.
• Main components are trash rack and gate.
• Trash rack prevent entry of debris.
Surge tank
• additional storage for near to turbine, usually
provided in high head plants.
• located near the beginning of the penstock.
• As the load on the turbine decreases or during load
rejection by the turbine the surge tank provides
space for holding water.
• surge tank over comes the abnormal pressure in the
conduit when load on the turbine falls and acts as a
reservoir during increase of load on the turbine
Turbines
• turbines are used to convert the energy of falling
water into mechanical energy.

• water turbine is a rotary engine that takes energy

from moving water.

• flowing water is directed on to the blades of a turbine

runner
 Kapla
n

Franci
s
Draft tube
• is a pipe or passage of gradually increasing cross sectional
area, which connect to the exit to tail race.
• it reduces high velocity of water discharged by the
turbine.
Power house
• Power house contains the electro mechanical
equipment i.e. hydro power turbine, Generator,
excitation system, main inlet valves, transformers,
Switchyard, DC systems, governor, bus duct, step up
transformers, step down transformers, high voltages
switch gears, control metering for protection of
systems.
Tail race
• tail race tunnel or channel are provided to direct the
used water coming out of draft tube back to the river.

• Tail race is designed in such a way that water hammer is

minimizes when water leaves the draft tube.
Power generation
The amount of electricity that can be generated by a
hydropower plant depends on two factors:

•flow rate - the quantity of water flowing in a given time; and

head - the height from which the water falls.

The greater the flow and head, the more electricity produced.

Flow Rate = the quantity of water flowing

Head = the height from which water falls

Greeks and Romans used hydropower to power mills
to grind corn
 Present Day
Same concept as historical mills, but more complex.

Now produce about 24% of the world’s electricity

Supplies more than 1 billion people with power

Produces 675,000 megawatts (= 3.6 billion barrels of oil)

Located about an hour from Las Vegas

A total of 19 turbines create 2,998,000 horsepower

which translates into 4 billion kilowatt hours a year

17 turbines give energy to the nearby cities, while 2 give

energy to the power plant

Serves 1.3 million people

Advantages
• Clean Energy Source
• Domestic Energy Source
• Generally Available As
Needed
• Provides Recreational
Opportunities
• Water Supply and Flood
Control
•Water is a renewable energy source. Maintenance and operation
charges are very low.
• The efficiency of the plant does not change with age.

• In addition to power generation, hydro-electric power plants are also

useful for flood control, irrigation purposes, fishery and recreation.

• Have a longer life(100 to 125 years) as they operate at atmospheric

temperature.

• Water stored in the hydro-electric power plants can also be used for
domestic water supply.

• Since hydro-electric power plants run at low speeds(300 to 400 rpm)

there is no requirement of special alloy steel construction materials or
specialised mechanical maintenance.
No fuel charges.

Less supervising staff is required.

Maintenance & operation charges are very low.

Running cost of the plant is low.

The plant efficiency does not changes with age.

It takes few minutes to run & synchronize the plant.

No fuel transportation is required.

No ash & flue gas problem & does not pollute the atmosphere.

These plants are used for flood control & irrigation purpose.

Long life in comparison with the Thermal & Nuclear Power Plant.
Disadvantages
Fish populations can be impacted if fish cannot migrate upstream past impoundm
ent  dams to spawning grounds or if they cannot migrate downstream to the
 ocean.

Upstream fish passage can be aided using fish ladders or elevators, or by trapping
  and hauling the fish upstream by truck. 

Downstream fish passage is aided by diverting fish from turbine
intakes using screens or racks or even underwater light sand sounds, and by
 maintaining a minimum spill flow past the turbine.

Hydropower can impact water quality and flow. Hydropower plants can cause lo
w  dissolved oxygen levels in the water, a problem that is harmful to riparian
(riverbank) habitats and is addressed using various aeration techniques, which 
oxygenate the water. 

Maintaining minimum flows of water downstream of a 
hydropower installation is also critical for the survival of riparian habitats.
Hydropower plants can be impacted by drought.
When water is not available, the  hydropower plants can't produce electricity.

New hydropower facilities impact the local environment and may compete with
 other  uses for the land. 

Those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity
generation. Humans, flora, and fauna may lose their natural habitat. 

Local cultures and historical sites may be impinged upon. 

Some older hydropower facilities may  have historic value, so renovations of these 
facilities must also be sensitive to such
preservation concerns and to impacts on plant and animal life.
List of Hydro Power Plants in India
1. Tehri Dam
Operator: THDC Limited, Uttarakhand     
Location: Uttarakhand

2. Koyna Hydroelectric Project

Operator: MAHAGENCO, Maharashtra State Power Generation Co Ltd.
Location: Maharashtra

3. Srisailam
Operator: APGENCO     
Location: Andhra Pradesh

4. Nathpa Jhakri
Operator: Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam   
Location: Himachal Pradesh

5. Sardar Sarovar Dam

Operator: Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd   
Location: Navagam, Gujarat
6. Bhakra Nangal Dam (Gobind Sagar)
Operator: Bhakra Beas Management Board        
Location: Sutlej River, Bilaspur - Himachal Pradesh

7. Chamera I  
Operator: NHPC Limited        
Location: Himachal Pradesh

8. Sharavathi Project
Operator: Karnataka Power Corporation Limited
Location: Karnataka

9. Indira Sagar Dam

Operator: Narmada Valley Development Authority       
Location: Madhya Pradesh

10. Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant

Operator: Jaypee Group         
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Flow Chart
Potential impact

Social issues Economic impats

Hydropower

Enviromental impacts benefits

Draw backs